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Sunday, June 27, 2010

On the road again

Travelling is a great source of inspiration for one's art practice and I've been lucky in that department. On my recent "art" trip with my friend and artist Carol Bajen-Gahm which consisted of a driving trip from New York back to Newfoundland, we discovered a new botanical garden - Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. It is spectacular given that it is in its infancy. There were so many highlights from my visit there, I don't know where to start. Oddly enough I'm not beginning with the plant life! More on that later.

One of the first things that caught my eye on the drive into the area was a sculpture by Wendy Klemperer, a Brooklyn artist. I noticed a number of her other works throughout the gardens. She works in recycled metal focusing on animals. There is no doubt that she understands the anatomy of the various animals she sculpts because they appear so lifelike given that they are only in armature.

Another favourite sculpture on the property was Glass Orb by Henry Richardson which spoke to me of the fragility of the world. The light hitting the glass and the resulting sparkle made it irresistible. The touch and it will break message was strong and clear. The aritist's intention for the work goes beyond my interpretation. The Spheroid Series, of which Orb is part, expresses " an inner spirit of humanity. In these simple shapes, there can be found a statement of mass without heaviness, through an escape of light." Specifically about Orb Richardson says, " Part of the purpose of the piece is to provide a way in which anyone who looks at is can have an experience that is personal to them. "